The Youngest Prince Of The English Royalty House [EN]: Chapter 176

176. The Beginning of the World War (1)

-1205, Rouen, the capital of England-

-Ding, ding, ding.

The silence was shattered by the tolling of the bell.

“···.”

The people’s hearts were filled with unease. Their brothers, husbands, sons, and nephews had departed for the battlefield.

As silence hung heavy, the Archbishop of Rouen ascended the podium and proclaimed,

“Now, let us beseech the Lord for those who have embarked on this arduous journey.”

Only then did the people clasp their hands together, commencing their earnest prayers.

“God, grant our son a safe return.”

“Please, let my father come back unharmed.”

“Jesus and Mary… we implore you, let our husbands return healthy.”

The people prayed with fervent hope.

Although the majority of the troops consisted of regular soldiers receiving wages, rather than conscripts, venturing into a battlefield where lives were routinely taken remained a perilous undertaking.

I, too, having sent my elder brother Richard I to war, clasped my hands and offered a heartfelt prayer.

‘God, please spare my brother from meeting such an absurd end as foretold in the original history.’

I fervently prayed that Richard I, who had tragically succumbed to a blind crossbow bolt in the original timeline, would not meet a similarly futile demise in this reality where I existed.

As I prayed, I was suddenly reminded of a conversation I had shared with Richard before his departure.

‘John, heed my words. I intend to conclude my reign by halting the Mongol advance. With your keen intellect, I trust you grasp my intentions.’

‘Brother, I pledge to exert every effort in your support. Therefore, cast aside your worries and vanquish our foes.’

‘It will undoubtedly entail considerable hardship for you to sustain me, yet I am grateful for your ready assent, dear brother. I place my trust in you and shall proceed to the battlefield with a tranquil heart.’

‘Return safely, brother.’

Before his departure, Richard expressed his gratitude and alluded to the ‘trouble’ that lay ahead.

Indeed, I anticipated facing numerous challenges.

We were embroiled in a state of war. Not merely any war, but a conflict necessitating preparations for a ‘protracted struggle,’ akin to the Crusades.

I had pledged unwavering ‘support’ to Richard and had already initiated plans to that effect.

“Your Majesty, the workload is overwhelming.”

Naturally, I felt a pang of sympathy for my Chief Secretary of State, Peter, who was diligently laboring on the plan. However, I intended to utilize his capabilities cost-effectively, much like England’s Hwang Hee [a famous Korean prime minister known for his frugality and effectiveness].

Nevertheless, I frequently bestowed upon Peter gold coins and silk as a form of financial encouragement, thereby assuaging any lingering guilt.

“Peter, why do you wear such an expression? Even I, as the king, am burdened with a multitude of tasks. Are you unable to manage your duties?”

I, too, had grievances to voice. It was not solely Peter who toiled tirelessly.

“It is merely that I am weary.”

Perhaps due to Peter’s advancing years, he openly displayed his fatigue, making no attempt to conceal it. It served as a signal that he desired acknowledgment for his diligent efforts.

“Your Majesty, our supplies and manpower have already been significantly depleted. Surely, you can appreciate the magnitude of my responsibilities, can you not?”

“Were you not forewarned of this, Peter? This is war. How could any aspect of war be deemed effortless?”

“Were it not for the endless administrative documents in Angevin [the dialect of French spoken by the English court], I would have already sought refuge in the cathedral.”

“Oh, are you not already married?”

At that moment, Chief Administrator Amiar interjected in Peter’s defense.

“Your Majesty, Peter’s reaction is only natural. The war has led to consumption far exceeding our projections, and our administrative capacity is struggling to cope with the immense flow of supplies.”

In blunt terms, the very foundations of England were being undermined.

Such is the nature of war. War is akin to a ravenous hippopotamus, devouring both people and resources indiscriminately.

Fortunately, we in England possessed a just cause. At the very least, we were defending against the invasion of the vile heretic Mongols, not acting as the aggressors.

“I shall appoint additional administrators. I will, of course, cover their salaries from my personal funds for the time being.”

“Your Majesty is truly a paragon of Christian virtue.”

“I am heartened that I chose England over France.”

Peter and Amiar’s countenances brightened at my empty promise. Observing these subjects, I entertained the notion that I might be a reasonably competent monarch.

‘Was it not a wise decision to abstain from the battlefield?’

Frankly, I harbored a desire to lead the army myself, but if both kings were to engage in combat, who would govern England?

Here, I empathized with the plight of the original King John.

The pillars of England were being dismantled to finance the Crusades.

‘Wow… I am only managing to persevere due to my prior preparations. It is no wonder the original John turned to darkness.’

Of course, objectively speaking, the circumstances of the original King John and myself differed in numerous respects. However, we shared the common burden of managing internal affairs by leveraging all available resources to bolster my brother’s war efforts.

Like Joseph in the Old Testament, who amassed grain in granaries over an extended period in anticipation of famine, I had consistently prepared for the worst-case scenario for decades.

‘Temujin [Genghis Khan’s birth name], your task will not be simple.’

It was already a source of considerable anxiety that the Holy Mongol Empire professed Christianity. However, the true predicament lay in their ambition to seize fertile lands in Europe as the ‘most formidable heretics in history.’

The Mongols, with Jamukha [Genghis Khan’s rival] still alive, were united and would prove even more formidable.

Yet, I remained confident. Indeed, I had to maintain confidence.

Otherwise, I would be condemned to endure a truly wretched existence akin to that of the original King John. Therefore, I was compelled to redouble my efforts and secure the glory of England.

Just then, the guest for whom I had been waiting arrived.

“Your Majesty, an envoy from Venice requests an audience.”

I smiled, fully aware of the envoy’s identity.

“Admit him.”

“Your Majesty, it has been some time.”

“Roniero, welcome.”

Roniero, the commander-in-chief of Venice, had journeyed to England.

“Your Majesty, I have resolved all matters in Venice. There are no longer any who would impede the amity between us and England.”

Whether he had gleaned insights from Machiavelli’s ‘The Prince’ from the distant future or inherited the cunning of his father, Enrico Dandolo, he had employed a range of underhanded tactics to ultimately triumph in every political contest and return.

In reality, he had not ascended to the position of Doge [chief magistrate of Venice], but he had seized control of all the levers of power within the Venetian Republic. He had come to England in person, not only to restore diplomatic ties between England and Venice but also to achieve further objectives.

“As long as the combined Holy Fleets of England and Venice stand united. Ah!”

I cut short Roniero’s protracted introduction and proceeded directly to the crux of the matter.

“So, what information have you come to acquire?”

It was time to commence business dealings to generate revenue.

* * *

-Kingdom of France-

The kings of England and France convened in a field, surrounded by an immense assembly of soldiers.

“Welcome.”

“It is heartening to see you thus, Philip.”

Although the Hundred Years’ War had yet to transpire, relations between England and France were far from amicable. The conflict stemmed not from animosity between nations but from a ‘dispute’ over territories of considerable significance.

Until recently, each had served as a formidable adversary to the other. However, the time had come to unite in the face of Europe’s looming crisis.

“We must set aside our past grievances and concentrate our efforts on combating the Mongols.”

The Mongols.

Despite their weakened state, they remained a formidable force that had decimated the remaining vestiges of Islamic power.

They now stood directly before us.

The Europeans recognized the wisdom of the adage, ‘When the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold’ [a Chinese proverb meaning that the fate of one is closely linked to the fate of another]. Should the Kingdom of Jerusalem, the Eastern Roman Empire, and the Kingdom of Poland fall, the German regions and France would be next in line.

Furthermore, the people of the Middle Ages possessed the common-sense understanding that ‘their own country’ should not become a battlefield.

Therefore,

The armies of France and England resolved to repel the Mongols on foreign soil.

The allied forces began their advance.

* * *

-Holy Roman Empire, Aachen-

“Your Majesty, the English and French armies are encroaching upon our empire, and the Spanish army has landed in Egypt to aid the Kingdom of Jerusalem.”

All the major powers were mobilizing.

Could the traditional great power, the Holy Roman Empire, afford to remain idle?

Otto IV, having summoned each commander by order of the emperor, declared,

“Richard I and Philip II, as well as Alexios II, and even King Fernando I of Spain, whom many had dismissed as a lesser figure, have all embarked on campaigns. We cannot remain passive. We are the true Rome, directly inheriting the legacy of Charlemagne.”

Although political agreements with the nobles had already been secured, a demonstration was necessary to reassure the common people and the clergy.

“Your Majesty’s words are wise.”

“We cannot stand idly by and witness the suffering of our fellow Christians.”

“We are Rome.”

The Holy Roman Empire, having concluded all battles for the throne and thoroughly addressed the aftermath, also recognized the imperative to participate in this conflict.

“We must not permit another invasion by the Huns.”

No nation that invoked the name of the Roman Empire was oblivious to the terror of the Huns. To be precise, the ferocity of the Asian nomads was deeply ingrained in their historical consciousness.

The Mongols proclaimed themselves to be the ‘legitimate successors of Christianity’ and swiftly vanquished the Islamic forces composed of Turks and Persians.

Thus, the time had come for the descendants of Western Rome to step forward.

* * *

-1205, Throughout Goryeo [ancient Korean kingdom]-

While the West was deploying its armies to thwart the Mongols,

The entirety of Goryeo was embroiled in fierce combat.

Goryeo, situated on a bridgehead that could facilitate access to the continent at any moment, possessed immense strategic value even in the Middle Ages. The leaders of China and Japan foresaw that its fall would precipitate a catastrophe.

The reinforcements from the West, including Longespee, sought to amass as much experience as possible in this war by harassing the Mongols from the east.

The allied forces fought with unwavering resolve to defend the East.

In particular, Goryeo had been a nation frequently subjected to foreign invasions since ancient times.

“Their gunpowder is not invincible.”

“It is most advantageous for us.”

“Defend!”

“General, what troubles you?”

“Something feels amiss.”

Choe Chungheon [military dictator of Goryeo] was suddenly overcome with unease.

The ‘army of survivors’ assembled in Goryeo labored under a misapprehension.

The Mongols were mistakenly perceived as being akin to the ignorant nomadic peoples of the past.

However, what they failed to anticipate was that,

The Mongols exhibited efficient movements that were markedly different from those of the old Khitans and Jurchens.

Choe Chungheon received dire news.

“Urgent report.”

“Japan has been annihilated….”

“Maritime supply lines have been neutralized.”

“Our Great Song’s [Chinese dynasty] hopes have been extinguished at Mount Ai.”

Japan, which had engaged in Wokou [Japanese pirates] activities in the original timeline, had become benevolent due to the existence of the Holy Mongol Empire.

They had transformed into amicable neighbors of Goryeo, dispatching troops for their mutual survival and providing timely supplies via their navy.

Yet, the Mongol army had landed in Japan and decimated it?

That signified.

“Ha….”

Goryeo could not be safe either.

And a few days later,

Choe Chungheon, the Supreme General of Goryeo, summoned Longespee, who had journeyed from the distant West to aid Goryeo.

“Lang Gong [a respectful title, approximating ‘Lord’],”

Lang Gong was a nickname devised to facilitate the pronunciation of Longespee, just as the English had referred to Akbulhoe as Acre.

Longespee, a Western gentleman who had grown fond of Goryeo to the point of being accustomed to the appellation Lang Gong, discerned the foreboding in Choe Chungheon’s expression.

“Supreme General, what is amiss?”

“Soon, Goryeo will prepare to fight a final, desperate battle.”

“What? Is there no remaining hope?”

“The revivalist forces of Waeguk [ancient name for Japan] and Southern Song have been vanquished.”

“That cannot be….”

Goryeo had managed to endure thanks to the inexperience of the Mongol commanders and the maritime supply lines from China and Japan. However, the Holy Mongol Empire had evolved into an empire that also valued the ‘navy,’ and ultimately, the allied forces of the Song Dynasty revival army and Waeguk had been destroyed.

“A knight never betrays his faith!”

Longespee had no intention of retreating.

It was a journey to the East that he had undertaken with John’s orders and a sense of pride. Now, he had become a comrade to the people of the East.

“You must depart. You are a man of England. You must not perish in Goryeo. Go and bear witness to our story.”

“That there once existed a country called Goryeo that fought to the bitter end against the Mongols in the East….”

Choe Chungheon’s eyes were filled with a resolute determination to die.

Longespee, fully comprehending the meaning conveyed in those eyes, nodded with difficulty.

“I shall remember… I shall never forget.”

“Lang Gong is our comrade who came to this Goryeo and aided us so greatly.”

“Keuk. Supreme General, I wish you good fortune in battle.”

Longespee swiftly departed Goryeo with his knights.

Fortunately, the Mongol fleet failed to detect Longespee’s small vessel amidst the aftermath of the naval engagements in the East Sea and the China Sea.

“Mongols… I shall avenge you.”

Longespee shed tears of blood as he gazed upon the receding Byeongnando [ancient port of Goryeo].

Longespee had witnessed it: the veterans who had resisted the mighty Mongols.

Thus, he vowed to survive to the very end and transmit their story to future generations.